According to research by Galal & Karawi Management Consulting in collaboration with Orient Planet Research, internet users in the Arab region have reached approximately 348 million, which accounts for 70.2% of the region’s total population of 496 million. Social media usage has surged to 228 million users, or 46% of the total population.
The study on digital transformation in the Arab World compares the region’s digital landscape to that of the European Union. Sources such as DataReportal, GSMA Intelligence, Statista, Semrush, and Sky contributed to the research, highlighting how the Arab World’s digital environment is evolving rapidly.
Eng. Asem Galal, Co-founder of Galal & Karawi Management Consulting, emphasized that digital platforms now serve as the foundation for government engagement with younger generations, particularly Millennials and Gen Z. He stressed the importance of creating national digital content that aligns with the region’s cultural identity while leveraging artificial intelligence to drive interaction and public participation. These efforts align with the digital transformation strategies being implemented by various Arab governments to foster sustainable development.
Dr. Nidal Abou Zaki, Managing Director of Orient Planet Group, described the findings as a testament to the growing digital potential within the Arab region. He pointed out that by embracing technological innovations and strengthening digital infrastructure, the region can improve its global competitiveness, attract investments, and accelerate digital transformation.
The study also reveals that the digital divide between the Arab World and the European Union is narrowing. The EU currently has around 419 million internet users, while the Arab region follows with 348 million users, representing a difference of just 71 million. Social media usage figures are even closer, with the EU having about 230 million users and the Arab World reaching 228 million.
Egypt leads the Arab region in social media usage with 50.7 million users, followed by Iraq with 34.3 million and Saudi Arabia with 34.1 million. Algeria, Morocco, and the UAE have 25.6 million, 21.3 million, and 11.3 million users, respectively. These countries collectively account for 77% of all social media users in the Arab World.
The research also identifies distinct platform preferences across the region. TikTok is dominant in Gulf states, including Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, and Bahrain, and enjoys popularity in Iraq, Lebanon, Sudan, Mauritania, Yemen, and Somalia. Facebook remains the leading platform in North African countries like Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, and Libya. YouTube is the top platform for educational and entertainment content in Egypt, Jordan, and Oman, while Snapchat thrives in Saudi Arabia, with 24.7 million users. LinkedIn is widely used in economically active countries such as Saudi Arabia and the UAE, with 11 million and 9.4 million users, respectively.
Demographic trends highlight the region’s young population as a key driver of its digital future, with individuals under 35 representing about 62.8% of the total population. The region also experiences a growth rate of 2.1% annually. In comparison, the EU’s youth population makes up only 37.6% of the total population, with a slower growth rate of 0.41% annually.
